Torches not expanded and receding

[tymo92]

I have two torches that aren't looking great. Both are much less expanded than when I got them, and 1 has lost much of it's flesh band to where the bare skeleton is close to the mouth.

I've had them in moderate flow, ~100 par, before moving them into slightly lower par. I've tried an iodine and H2O2 dip neither of which seems to have done anything.

Parameters shouldn't be causing an issue except for nitrate and phosphate which are low (0.3ppm and 0.01ppm).

Any ideas what could be causing these torches not to extend and for 1 to be losing tissue?

 

[Alex’s_Mini_Reef]

Iv this is with many new torches especially wild Iv gotten over the years its either a bacteria infection requiring a KFC dip , a fairly new tank with many instability that we cannot see causing stress on the corals or not enough nutrient being in the tank. Any other corals giving you issues?

 

[Shirak]

You answered your own question. "nitrate and phosphate which are low (0.3ppm and 0.01ppm)."

I would also add that 100par is on the low side. I would say 150-200 is a better range for torches. But it won't matter if they have no nutrients to utilize.

 

[kevgib67]

Could you list all your parameters? Your nitrate and phosphate are basically zero, they require nutrients in the water. Shoot for phosphate.05 and nitrate 10-15. The par you want moderate 150-200 and flow moderate random.

 

[tymo92]

I’ve dosed some neonitro to get nitrates up to 2-3ppm and with heavier feeding think I’ve gotten PO3 off zero. I’m feeding heavily but it’s a pretty lightly stocked tank and so keeping nutrients up has been tough. Would make sense if they are starving.

Would anyone recommend target feeding them with Reef Roids/Restor while trying to get nutrients up?

They were in 150 par when they started to lose flesh band so I moved them down to 100ish. I highly doubt 150 par being too low caused recession.

Having no other coral issues (acros and other LPS). I’m running 8 alk, 420 Ca, 1350 mg, 35ppt salinity, 76 temp.

 

[kevgib67]

I’ve dosed some neonitro to get nitrates up to 2-3ppm and with heavier feeding think I’ve gotten PO3 off zero. I’m feeding heavily but it’s a pretty lightly stocked tank and so keeping nutrients up has been tough. Would make sense if they are starving.

Would anyone recommend target feeding them with Reef Roids/Restor while trying to get nutrients up?

They were in 150 par when they started to lose flesh band so I moved them down to 100ish. I highly doubt 150 par being too low caused recession.

Having no other coral issues (acros and other LPS). I’m running 8 alk, 420 Ca, 1350 mg, 35ppt salinity, 76 temp.

Ya, keep getting your nutrients up and target feed Reef Roids and that will help bring your phosphates up.

 

[Alex’s_Mini_Reef]

I wouldn’t adjust everything to one coral, the best you can do it go slowly especially when dosing PO4 and N03 most new tanks will consume it pretty quickly best you can do it dose it daily but need to test every other day at the beginning to know what sort of effect it’s has . Iv been a fan of dosing weekly to my LPS either in there food or directly on top while feeding Brightwell Restor. I used to like reef roids but you will quickly realize how high you PO4 will get and can get ugly quick.

 

[Shirak]

My torches always responded well to LPS pellets and chopped frozen mysis also.